Antenna window and antenna pattern for electronic devices and methods of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A housing for an electronic device, including an aluminum layer enclosing a volume that includes a radio-frequency (RF) antenna is provided. The housing includes a window aligned with the RF antenna; the window including a non-conductive material filling a cavity in the aluminum layer; and a thin aluminum oxide layer adjacent to the aluminum layer and to the non-conductive material; wherein the non-conductive material and the thin aluminum oxide layer form an RF-transparent path through the window. A housing for an electronic device including an integrated RF-antenna is also provided. A method of manufacturing a housing for an electronic device as described above is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A housing for an electronic device, comprising:
 a metal layer forming at least a portion of an outside surface of the electronic device; 
 a first and a second gap formed through a thickness of the metal layer and arranged to form an electrically isolated segment of the metal layer, wherein the electrically isolated segment forms a radio frequency (RF) antenna having an exterior surface at the outside surface of the electronic device; and
 a non-electrically conductive material filling the first and the second gaps in the metal layer. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The housing of  claim 1  wherein the metal layer comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       3. The housing of  claim 1  wherein the non-electrically conductive material comprises a plastic. 
     
     
       4. The housing of  claim 1  wherein the non-electrically conductive material is coplanar with the metal layer. 
     
     
       5. The housing of  claim 1  wherein the electrically isolated segment is a first electrically isolated segment that forms a first RF antenna and the metal layer comprises a second electrically isolated segment that forms a second RF antenna. 
     
     
       6. The housing of  claim 1  wherein the metal layer forms a portion of a rear surface of the electronic device, and wherein a display, positioned opposite the rear surface, forms a portion of a front surface of the electronic device. 
     
     
       7. A housing for an electronic device, comprising:
 a first metal portion forming a first section of an outside surface of the electronic device; 
 a second metal portion separated from the first metal portion and forming a second section of an outside surface of the electronic device; and 
 an insulative material positioned between the first and the second metal portions such that the first metal portion is electrically insulated from the second metal portion, wherein the second metal portion provides structural support for the housing and forms a radio frequency (RF) antenna. 
 
     
     
       8. The housing of  claim 7  wherein the first and the second metal portions comprise aluminum. 
     
     
       9. The housing of  claim 7  wherein the insulative material comprises a plastic. 
     
     
       10. The housing of  claim 7  wherein the insulative material is coplanar with the first and the second metal portions. 
     
     
       11. The housing of  claim 7  wherein the first metal portion is configured to attach to a display cover. 
     
     
       12. The housing of  claim 7  wherein the second metal portion forms a first RF antenna, and the housing further comprises a third metal portion that is electrically insulated from the first and the second metal portions and forms a second RF antenna. 
     
     
       13. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a first metal portion having a first interior surface opposite a first exterior surface, the first exterior surface forming a portion of a back surface of the electronic device; 
 a second metal portion, forming a radio frequency (RF) antenna having a second interior surface opposite a second exterior surface, the second exterior surface forming a portion of the back surface of the electronic device; 
 
 an insulative material positioned between the first and the second metal portions; and 
 a display cover attached to the housing and forming at least a portion of a front surface of the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the first and second metal portions comprise aluminum. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the insulative material comprises a plastic. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the insulative material is coplanar with the first and second metal portions. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the first and second metal portions enclose a plurality of electronic circuits. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the second metal portion forms a first RF antenna, and the housing further comprising a third metal portion electrically insulated from the first and the second metal portions wherein the third metal portion forms a second RF antenna.